Literature Review: Assisting Older People with Chronic Conditions through Self-Management Support

Nurses and other health professionals can support older people with a chronic disease by employing self-management support programs and techniques. Current evidence suggests that patients with effective selfmanagement skills make better use of health professionals’ time, have enhanced self-care skills and improved quality of life. There are a number of self-management programs that are offered in community health settings in Australia, in particular the Stanford University and Flinders University programs. Lack of engagement and referral by GPs are cited as common barriers to effective self-management, and questions have recently arisen about the efficacy of such programs.